Easter Weekend

This past weekend we visited Burleson to celebrate Brayden's birthday and Easter as well. Aunt Maggie got Cailin an adorable easter basket filled with candy and an easter bunny potato head. Cailin was also very excited to show her Aunt Maggie her new polka dot easter dress.

Most importantly is was Brayden's birthday this weekend. Cailin had an absolute blast playing on Brayden's new swingset, a big bounce house and Brayden's new sand box. She and Lily had fun together playing together in the sandbox.





Chase had fun at the party too. It was the first time he was actually awake for an entire family event, I guess it's one of the benefits of getting a little bit older is he doesn't sleep so much. Then again that all depends on who you ask. I miss the sleepy days sometimes myself.


Unfortunately I started the weekend with a nasty cold that knocked me on my booty just in time to stay at Grandma's house but there is something so comforting about being at the home you grew up in when you're sick that just makes you feel better. I think I spread the love too much though because Chase and Cailin seem to have caught it and by the looks of Cailin's smooch on Grandma, Grandma isn't too far behind.


Chase and Mimi having a little inside playtime while the big kids were all the backyard.

Grandma, Chase and Brayden playing on the new swingset.


Uncle Brad gave rides in Brayden's new sports car. Allen was waiting his turn.


Brayden showed Cailin this new move on the swingset.


Faith played with Cailin alot and even pushed her on the swing for a while.

Chase found a new friend in resident big sister Hope. As the oldest of three, Hope immediately took over babysitting duties for Chase which was awesome. I just need to find me a permanent 9 nine year old, hmmm....

Aunt Maggie made the mistake of getting into the bounce house while children still prowled. She was immediately mauled by children.

The weekend was finished off with an Easter egg hunt at Brad and Maggie's Sunday morning. Cailin was much more into this year than she has in the previous years. Brayden, being only 2, was not at all interested, maybe next year though.

Life back at home has been good. Hot summer days seem to be upon even though it is only April. Every weekend lately has been filled with dragging the inflatable pool into the yard or playing in the sprinkler. The grill seems to be getting fired up more and more as we enjoy the heat and humidity we've all come to love. Okay well maybe not the humidity part.

Chase has finally cut his first tooth at the ripe old age of 9 months, seems as though both of my kids are late teethers. It remains to be seen though whether Chase will be a late walker like Cailin. He has yet to crawl but he scoots backwards and in circles and can sort of drag himself along if there is carpet to grip on to but he hasn't gotten up on all fours and crawled yet. His daycare teachers constantly remark what an incredibly happy and easy going baby he is. Teachers from other classes stop me every day, I mean EVERY day, to kiss Chase and tell me how much they love him and how sweet he is. Preaching to the choir!

Above Cailin is combing my hair and Chase is standing and trying to give hugs.


Such a handsome little boy.

We have been working with Chase to get him to hold his own bottle. Each time we hand him a bottle we have to place his hand around the bottle and sort of force him to hold it. I remember Cailin doing this on her own at a much earlier age. I don't know if it's a boy thing or a second born thing or if Cailin was just little Ms. Independent but it's funny to see some of the differences in them.

Chase is 100% on table food now. I hate baby food and I remember not giving jarred baby food to Cailin for very long. It's too expensive and just plain gross if you ask me. Chase was a little hesistant when we first introduced solids to him at 5 months, I worried he would be my picky eater. Well those worries were completely unfounded. He is a fantastic eater and frequently eats more than Cailin does at a meal. At his last doctor's appointment about 2 weeks ago, he weighed in at 21 lbs and he'll have his 9 month checkup in a few days but I think he has evened out a little in his percentiles even though he is still quite a chunky monkey.

My sweet babies!!

Ever the ham, Cailin puts on a ballarina show but really just wants to see herself on camera.

Occasionally Cailin will actually play a little with Chase. It doesn't happen often, I guess Chase isn't very exciting yet but in this video he is cracking up at her. She'll play with him in the bathtub and sometimes in the car. It's a little peek into the future when they have each other to play with, and fight with.

Spring Break 2011

Spring break this year was awesome. It was much more low key than last year's big trip to Dubai but it was no less fantastic. We felt really rested and that we had truly had a vacation from everyday work and life. After about 2 days, we both stopped thinking about work at all and by Tuesday I had lost track of the days, that is an awesome feeling!

My little Spongebob twins!

This blog is kind of going in the opposite order, from end of the week to beginning but oh well. We ended Spring break with a hike around one of the beautiful trails in The Woodlands, it's actually a really cool nature preserve. We love to enjoy the nice weather before the mosquitoes make it impossible to venture out there in a few short weeks.


Chase is no longer vertically challenged. He has fought against a life being horizontal and can now sit up all by himself. It's really great because now I can plop him on the floor with a basket and toys (and preferably a sister) and know that I can be sure that he won't fall over and crack his head, probably.

There was a recent occasion where Chase decided to do a cannon ball off the changing table on to the hardwood floors and that was pretty scary for both Chase and Mama. I think my hands are still shaking but after a few minutes of comforting and little over reacting , we both were fine.



On our out of town trip during Spring break, our last stop was Austin. Jeff and I were soooo happy to be back to our old stomping grounds. Austin is my favorite Texas city and being there reminded me how much I love it there! It's so beautiful and less humid, which is a wonderful thing. We met up with some old friends who are still lucky enough to live there. Our last night there we went to the Oasis restaurant with it's breathtaking views over Lake Travis. We were there right at sunset, it was wonderful. Cailin saw the lake and just said "Wow!"





We spent about four days in Burleson seeing the fam. It was Grandma's birthday and we threw her a surprise party. Everyone came and Grandma was completely surprised, it was really fun.

Brayden really enjoyed getting to play with his new younger cousin Chase. I think he's glad to not be the youngest anymore. For a little guy who hasn't been around too many babies, he was a very good big cousin. He would hand Chase his toy if he dropped it and always came to sit next to him, even if it was only for a few moments.


Not one to enjoy a shared spotlight, Cailin got up on "stage" and gave us a lecture. My future little teacher.



Chase is for sure a big ol smoocher. He loves to give kisses and takes it seriously. Most of the time he puts his hands on either side of your face and pulls you in for a big ol wet one on the lips.



Cailin and Grandma playing dinosaurs.

Cailin was not happy in this picture and was getting mad at Daddy. I love the tantrum pictures and much as the cute smiling ones. They are such a true snapshot of the life a child. We were at Grandma's surprise party at Uncle Brad's house.


Brayden worked very hard on this one of kind "do"






My photogenic little boy. Cailin and Chase both have the most beautiful blue eyes. Cailin's are almost blue/gray and Chase's are more ocean blue.



Hey look, it's a baby in a box, complete with drool, poop, pee, and even cries!




Chase made his first trip to the playground recently. He was too young before then the weather got cold, you know that whole winter thing, but as soon as the weather started to warm up we took him. We could tell he wanted to run around with Cailin so bad.





This is his first time on a swing!

Cailin really really loves puzzles. She will work an entire puzzle start to finish by herself. It's so cute to watch her in such deep concentration, she never even knew I was filming her. The video doesn't show her doing the whole thing but she does after only a couple minutes.